A partnership between Hannaford Supermarkets and the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association (MCFA), a non-profit that supports the state’s fishermen and sustainable fisheries, highlights local, sustainable monkfish to feed the hungry.
Scarborough, Maine, U.S.A.-based Hannaford is now offering Maine Coast Monkfish Stew at select stores throughout southern Maine and plans to add more locations in the near future.
“Hannaford is excited to introduce this locally-sourced and prepared stew to our customers this summer,” Hannaford Supermarkets Seafood Category Manager Nathan Jewell said in a press release. “In addition to featuring fresh, sustainably-harvested monkfish caught right here on the Maine coast, the stew includes local products such as Maine potatoes, carrots, cream and lobster stock.”
Offering locally sourced, sustainable products is a win-win for the Maine economy and Hannaford shoppers, Jewell added.
"We encourage customers who have not yet discovered monkfish to try this new stew while knowing their purchase supports both our local fishermen and community members in need," Jewell said.
Proceeds from sales of Maine Coast Monkfish Stew are earmarked to purchase fresh fish from local fishermen, which will be donated to area food pantries to help combat food insecurity in Maine communities as part of the Fishermen Feeding Mainers Program, Hannaford said.
Hannaford also aims to increase awareness of the often-overlooked monkfish.
“Monkfish is not yet well established as part of the American seafood diet, despite it being native to the Northwest Atlantic and frequently found within New England’s coastal waters,” the retailer said.
Free Range Fish in Portland, Maine, cuts the fish, and the stew is cooked and packaged by Hurricane’s Premium Soups and Chowders in Greene, Maine.
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, MCFA launched the Fishermen Feeding Mainers Program to combat food insecurity in local communities, Hannaford said. Maine Coast Monkfish Stew is an extension of that program.
“Introducing Maine Coast Monkfish Stew to a retail market allows us to create a revenue stream back to the Fishermen Feeding Mainers Program,” MCFA Executive Director Ben Martens said. “Additionally, the stew is a way for us to introduce consumers to a local and sustainably sourced seafood choice largely unfamiliar to them and to support Maine’s fishermen.”
Photo courtesy of Hannaford
